My grandpa Nelson had a saying for harvest time: “dust flying.”
I never got to meet him. Most of what I know about him comes through the sayings my dad has shared over the years. This one came up on the drive home from Manitoba recently, after our Bronco broke down in Yorkton and Dad came to help get me home.
Somewhere along the drive, he told me that when the combines started up in the fall, his dad would say, “dust flying.”
And I can feel it. Out in the fields, everything is moving at once. Combines running, dust hanging in the air, a whole year of work coming in before the weather turns. And then, eventually, the dust settles.
The colours of my daily commute are changing. The mornings are crisp, but on those blue-sky afternoons, there is still some warmth in the sun.
I spent a few hours at the greenhouse last weekend, and it was the quietest it’s felt since early spring. Papa T’s is closed up for the season, the benches are empty, and without the usual coming and going, the whole place feels a little different.
There is still plenty to do. Martial has projects on the go, and there are always things to work through, put away, plan, and figure out. We’re slowing down a little, but we aren’t quite sitting still.
I think I’m still waiting for the dust to settle on this first full season. It all happened so fast, and I don’t know that we’ve had our big exhale just yet.
We have big dreams for this place, and we are only just getting started. There is a lot to learn, from the everyday work of running a business to the things we’re excited to grow into, like workshops and more ways to bring people together. We know some of it will take time, and we’re learning as we go.
For now, we’re making a little room to catch our breath before the next season begins. And while things might be quieter around the greenhouse, we have some Winter Wonderland magic in the works and we look forward to sharing a little more when the time comes.
Thank you for growing with us this season. Whether you stopped in for plants, had a conversation, asked a question, or simply watched things take shape, we’re glad you were part of our first year.
As winter settles in, we’ll keep sharing stories here. Maybe some practical growing tips from Martial, things we’re learning, people we want you to meet, and a look behind the scenes as we get ready for what comes next.
Whatever your dust is, I hope it settles for you, too.